Bhubaneswar: The Indian colts would draw inspiration from their Olympic bronze medal-winning seniors when they begin their title defence at the Junior Hockey World Cup with a clash against France, in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Indian men’s senior side created history at the Tokyo Olympics by claiming a bronze medal after 41 years.
The junior side would look to wrap up the successful 2021 season by retaining the World Cup title, which would be its third. The team first won the World Cup title in 2001 in Australia before reclaiming the crown in the last edition of the event in 2016 in Lucknow.
The junior hockey World Cup is considered a stepping stone for aspiring youngsters to play the game at the senior level as nine players from the 2016 squad represented India at the Tokyo Games.
And many members of the Vivek Sagar Prasad-led Indian team would look to showcase their potential and impress upon the national selectors for a place in the senior side.
Getting the opportunity to stay, train and play matches against senior side ahead of the event has been a blessing for the juniors.
Besides seniors like Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh, India chief coach Graham Reid has been working relentlessly with the Indian junior side, being coached by veteran BJ Kariappa.
In Arjuna awardee Prasad, the hosts will be led by someone who has already played the game at the highest level as he was part of the Olympic bronze-winning side.
Prasad will be assisted by star drag-flicker Sanjay as his deputy.
“Our team became the champions in 2016 and now our aim is to continue to perform in a similar manner,” Prasad said.
Chief coach Reid said the opportunity to train along side senior side will certainly benefit the juniors.
